LA PLATA COUNTY IS ON STAGE TWO FIRE ALERT - NO OUTDOOR FIRES ARE PERMITTED
The Association has received final word from the Wildfire Adapted Partnership (formerly the Firewise Council of Southwest Colorado) that our Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) has been approved. Let's all stay Firewise!
LPPO has two residents who are Ambassadors to the Wildfire Adapted Partnership of Southwest Colorado. They continue to attend meetings learning more about how to make our area safe from wildfires and will keep our community updated as needed.
LPPO Outdoor Burning Rules: Property Owners who burn on their property are required to comply with the La Plata County codes and regulations. In addition, a hose and shovel must be at the fire site to allow the owner to maintain control of the fire. Owners must observe the fire at all times to reduce risk of wild fires. As of a Jan 15, 2014 board decision, non-property owners (including renters and property users who do not own the property) are permitted to burn outside any residence within the subdivision only if the fire is fully enclosed top, bottom, and sides and the burning is per county requirements (wood or gas). Gas or charcoal barbecues which are capable of the complete enclosure of the hot elements and are also permitted. The Covenants Committee and the board may fine property owners for violations of this rule. The board must approve enclosures to ensure they meet the county requirements.
Note: Per Durango Fire and Rescue, there are times that NO fires are permitted outdoors. Durango Fire and Rescue posts notices on its website and notifies the newspaper when restrictions are in place. Owners are responsible to checking notices before considering any type of outdoor burn.
La Plata County Burning Rules: Even if fire restrictions have been lifted, residents must obtain a permit from their local fire department when they plan to burn (with two exceptions, see below). Permits can be obtained from the fire department:
Durango Fire and Rescue Authority (for properties in the Animas valley corridor from the north county line to New Mexico), visit https://durangofire.org/prevention-burn-permits/ to fill out the online permit, or call 970-382-6023.
Immediately prior to any burn, residents should call Dispatch at 970-385-2900 so dispatchers will be able to relay information about the burn being conducted. Exceptions:
Burn permits are not required for agricultural burns on land designated as agricultural by the Assessor’s Office.
There is also no permit required for recreation fires which are defined as “an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes." A 25 - foot setback from structures is required for recreational fires.
For your awareness, Durango Fire and Rescue has a "Reverse 911" program when there is fire danger in an area. Individuals can sign up on their website to have phone numbers added to this notification list. http://www.durangofirerescue.org/
Chipper Rebate Program: Wildfire Adaptive Partnership has a rebate program for chipper rentals or hiring a company to chip wood most years. You can access the form Q&A with the link below. Below is the latest (revised) form as of 6/12/14.